Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Pearl, MS (2026)
Pearl, Mississippi has a population of about 27,458. The city’s median household income is $54,643 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 26.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Pearl, with tuition ranging from $9,090 to $39,167 per year. In the Jackson, MS metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $103,400 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Pearl
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Pearl city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belhaven University | Jackson, MS | 5.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Strayer University-Mississippi | Jackson, MS | 5.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Jackson State University | Jackson, MS | 6.9 mi | $9,090 - $28,611 | – |
| Mississippi College | Clinton, MS | 14.6 mi | $21,698 - $39,167 | – |
| Copiah-Lincoln Community College | Wesson, MS | 44.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Mississippi schools on the Mississippi criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Pearl
Pearl is part of the Jackson, MS metro area (BLS area code 27140). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Mississippi statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $103,400 | Jackson, MS | $116,180 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $49,390 | Jackson, MS | $55,494 |
| Police Supervisor | $59,990 | Jackson, MS | $67,404 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $61,350 | Jackson, MS | $68,933 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $46,520 | Jackson, MS | $52,270 |
| Correctional Officer | $42,770 | Jackson, MS | $48,056 |
| Probation Officer | $35,150 | Jackson, MS | $39,494 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $62,010 | Jackson, MS | $69,674 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $47,910 | Jackson, MS | $53,831 |
| Information Security Analyst | $88,540 | Jackson, MS | $99,483 |
Source: BLS, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
Pearl at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 27,458 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $54,643 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 26.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 89.0 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Pearl-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Brandon, MS – 6.0 mi away (23,826 pop)
- Jackson, MS – 7.7 mi away (342,607 pop)
- Ridgeland, MS – 10.8 mi away (24,483 pop)
- Madison, MS – 14.1 mi away (26,031 pop)
- Clinton, MS – 15.6 mi away (25,211 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Pearl, MS?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Pearl. The closest is Belhaven University in Jackson, MS (5.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Copiah-Lincoln Community College (44.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Pearl?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Pearl are: Attorney ($103,400), Information Security Analyst ($88,540), Forensic Science Technician ($62,010). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Mississippi statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Brandon instead of Pearl?
Brandon, MS is 6.0 miles from Pearl and has its own set of local criminal justice programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Pearl an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Pearl’s median household income of $54,643 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Pearl while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Mississippi public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
How do I verify a program is accredited?
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.
Related Resources
- Online Criminal Justice Programs in Mississippi
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
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